Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Richmond parents face 25 years to life in child abuse case that caused death of infant son

By Leave a Comment

Jury returns guilty verdict for 2021 crime

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Yesterday, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, after four days of deliberation, a jury in Contra Costa County returned guilty verdicts against the parents who abused their infant son – which caused his death.

38-year-old Rayray Andrederral Darn and 31-year-old Marilyn Northington were charged with Murder [PC187(a)], assault on a child causing death [PC273ab(a)], child abuse [PC273a(a)], with a special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death [PC12022.95]. (See related article)

On February 4th, 2021, the couple’s actions led to the death of their 5-week-old son while they were residing at a hotel in Richmond. A hotel employee called Richmond police after witnessing Darn and Northington running out of their room with a baby reportedly not breathing. Officers responded to a local hospital after confirming there was an infant in the emergency room who was not breathing. During an investigation – and later after an autopsy by the Coroner’s Office – it was determined the infant died from injuries inflicted by his parents. The injuries to the baby included a broken femur, burn marks on his face and other parts of his body, fractured ribs, a skull fracture, and bleeding inside his skull. Additionally, the child suffered from severe malnutrition, and dehydration – as well as testing positive for methamphetamine.

The jury found the couple guilty of involuntary manslaughter [PC192(b)], assault on a child under 8-years-old causing death, and child abuse with the special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death.

The penalty Darn and Northington face is 25 years to life. Both defendants will be sentenced on December 15th at 8:30 a.m. by Judge Terri Mockler.

YES Nature to Neighborhoods to host 2nd Annual Rich City Kickback in Richmond Nov. 4

By 2 Comments

Unites Richmond for community wellness, mental health advocacy

By Sabrina Schaefer, Development & Communications Coordinator, YES Nature to Neighborhoods

On Saturday November 4th, Richmond-based nonprofit YES Nature to Neighborhoods (YES) will host the second-annual Rich City Kickback at the Richmond Recreation Complex Social Hall. In addition to YES, local organizations including Urban Tilth, The Watershed Project, Young Women’s Freedom Center, and Alcohol Marijuana Prescription Drug (AMPD) Coalition, will lead hands-on healing and wellness activities at the event. Young adults from YES’s Teaching Racial Environmental Empowerment Series (TREES) program will call on City of Richmond officials to invest in adult mental health by creating safe spaces that empower residents with alternate coping strategies to substance use. Residents of all ages are invited to enjoy the featured wellness and art activities and musical entertainment. This event is free and open to the public.

WHO: Young adults from YES Nature to Neighborhoods’ TREES program; City of Richmond Mayor, Eduardo Martinez (attending)

WHY: The rate of substance use condition among young adults age 18 to 25 is nearly double that of older adults and more than three times that of younger teens. Young adults from the TREES program are advocating for increased access to government-funded mental and emotional health supports as a means to decrease substance use among their age group.

WHEN: 1:00 – 4:00PM, Saturday November 4th, 2023

WHERE: Richmond Recreation Complex Social Hall, 3230 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • Social Media:

○ www.instagram.com/trees_program/?hl=en

○ www.instagram.com/yesn2n

○ www.facebook.com/YESNaturetoNeighborhoods/

Buddy Kniss wins Hobby Stock Nationals at Antioch Speedway

By Leave a Comment

Buddy Kniss piloted Dave Baca’s #33b car to the $3,000 Hobby Stock Nationals win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Gallagher, Robbins, McLeister also win

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing

Antioch, CA…October 6-7…Buddy Kniss of Oakley won the 50 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Nationals Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The 2019 IMCA Modified champion got the ride in the Dave Baca owned entry and made the most of it. The $3,000 victory was the biggest of his career.

Three-time Watsonville Hobby Stock champion Rob Gallaher of San Jose ended up with the win on Friday night, putting him in the Trophy Dash on Saturday, which he also won. Gallaher motored into the lead at the start, followed by 2020 champion James Thomson of Pittsburgh and Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista. Thomson made an inside pass on the back stretch on Lap 2 to grab the lead, but Gallaher came back strong on the outside in the fourth turn a lap later. A yellow flag waved for a flat tire on the Nick DeCarlo of Martinez car on Lap 4. Gallaher continued to lead the restart with Robles briefly moving into second. Thomson went low in Turn 4 a lap later to reclaim second and then made an inside pass on the back stretch on the eighth lap to take the lead from Gallaher once again. Kniss briefly took second from Gallaher, but Gallaher moved back around on Lap 9. Saturday night arrival Nick Johnson of Bakersfield made a high pass in Turn 4 on Lap 10 to grab third, and the battle intensified up front.

Gallaher made an inside pass in Turn 3 of the 12th lap to take the lead, and Johnson went low in Turn 2 a lap later to claim second. Johnson began smoking as he made an outside pass in Turn 4 on Lap 14 to take the lead from Gallaher. However, Gallaher came roaring back on the inside for the lead on Lap 15. A yellow flag flew for Robles, Aidan Ponciano of Oakley and Steven Johnson of Bakersfield in Turn 2 on Lap 16. Gallaher led the restart with Kniss motoring into second ahead of Nick Johnson. Another yellow flag waved on Lap 19. The restart saw Nick Johnson make a big move on the inside to take the lead from Gallaher. DeCarlo grabbed second. Johnson was still leading the way despite serious smoking issues. Following a Lap 27 yellow flag, Kniss made an inside pass to settle into second. Following a yellow flag on Lap 35, Kniss took the lead from Nick Johnson on the restart.

A yellow flag waved on Lap 39 for Robles. The restart lap saw contact between Nick Johnson and DeCarlo, and a yellow flag waved once again. Johnson retired, and Buddy Kniss now led Jared Baugh of Pittsburgh and Chester Kniss of Antioch. Chester Kniss pitted with a flat tire during a lap-48 yellow flag. Buddy Kniss led the restart and brought it home to victory ahead of Baugh, Lance Hurst of Madera, Jewell Crandall of Antioch and Charlie Bryant of Oakley.

Rob Gallaher X won the Friday night Hobby Stock Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

On Friday night, they ran a twin heat race format that earned the driver’s points and 15 starting spots in the preliminary Main Event. Rob Gallaher of San Jose would end up with the win following the two post-race disqualifications of Chris Long of Antioch and Colten Haney of Brentwood.

The first round of 10-lap heat race wins went to Gallaher, Robles, Steven Johnson, Michaela Taylor of Oakley and Long. The next round of heats went to Buddy Kniss, Thomson, Haney, Bobby Motts, Jr. of San Pablo and Long, making Long the only driver to win two heat races.

Long started up front with Haney in the Friday preliminary Main Event, but Haney led the opening lap. Long went by on the inside a lap later to take the lead. Motts settled into an early third, but he brought out a Lap 11 yellow flag. Long continued to lead Haney and track champion Grayson Baca of Brentwood. A final yellow flag bunched the field on Lap 18. Haney surprised Long by taking the lead, but Long went low in Turn 1 on Lap 19 to reclaim first. Gallaher had settled into third, and they took the checkered flag with Long ahead of Haney, Gallaher, Baca and Robles. Following the tech disqualification of Haney and Long’s failure to go directly to tech after the race, Gallaher was elevated into first ahead of Baca, Robles, Thomson and Buddy Kniss.

Jimmy Robbins ended up getting the Figure 8 win aboard his X Super Stock. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jimmy Robbins emerged with his first Figure 8 Main Event win of the season following multiple disqualifications. This was also the Mike Conley Salute, paying tribute to the recent Hall of Fame inductee.

DJ Keldsen of Newman had won the previous four races and took the early lead over Robbins, who was piloting his Super Stock on this occasion. Dakota Keldsen of Watsonville was an early third before being passed by his uncle, John Keldsen of Watsonville. John has won roughly 150 Figure 8 races throughout his illustrious career in California. A Turn 3 pass on the fourth lap gained John Keldsen the second position, and he set his sights on DJ.

Following a red flag on Lap 10 for a fire under the hood of the Dakota Keldsen car, John Keldsen surprised DJ by charging into the lead. The battle intensified between the two before DJ Keldsen made a pass as they exited Turn 2 on Lap 14. Undaunted, John Keldsen kept his foot in it and stayed on the inside as they went into Turn 3. Unfortunately, he hit an infield tire and rolled, bringing out a red flag. At that point, DJ Keldsen exited his car to check on his uncle and the race was stopped. Following some incidents after the races, all three Keldsen cars were disqualified, putting Robbins in the winner’s circle ahead of Michaela Taylor of Oakley and Mike Conley, Jr. of Antioch.

Devin McLeister #7b won the 600 Micro Sprint Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Devin McLeister of Stockton picked up the win in the 15 lap 600 Micro Sprint Main Event. He started on the pole and enjoyed a good battle with Fremont’s Ryan Dotson before the they scored the 1-2 finish. Bobby Caldeira of Salinas finished third.

Following a week off, racing returns in a big way with the Fifth Annual Bill Bowers Memorial West Coast Nationals. The big money affair will include the IMCA Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars along with the recently added Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks. The Friday night portion will pay tribute to Hall of Famer JD Willis as well. For further information, go to www.raceantiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 Race Results 

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks 

Heat Winners Round 1 (10 laps)-Buddy Kniss James Thomson, Colten Haney, Bobby Motts Jr, Chris Long. Heat Winners Round 2 (10 laps)-Rob Gallaher, Kenneth Robles, Steven Johnson, Michaela Taylor, Chris Long. Main Event (25 laps)-Rob Gallaher, Grayson Baca, Kenneth Robles, James Thomson, Buddy Kniss, Chester Kniss, Steven Johnson, Kevin Brown, Michaela Taylor, Breanna Troen.

Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 Race Results

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks

Heat Winners (10 lap)-Buddy Kniss, Charlie Bryant, Chester Kniss, Jared Baugh. Trophy Dash (4 laps)-Rob Gallaher. B Main 1 (15 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Steven Johnson, Tyler Irwin. B Main 2 (15 laps)-Nick Johnson, Brad Coelho, Aidan Ponciano. Main Event (50 laps)-Buddy Kniss, Jared Baugh, Lance Hurst, Jewell Crandall, Charlie Bryant, Chester Kniss, Anthony Vigna, Rob Gallaher, Brad Coelho, James Thomson.

Figure 8

Main Event (15 laps)-Jimmy Robbins, Michaela Taylor, Mike Conley Jr, John Keldsen DQ, DJ Keldsen DQ, Dakota Keldsen DQ.

600 Micro Sprints

Heat Winner (8 laps)-Devin McCleister. Main Event (15 laps)-Devin McCleister, Ryan Dotson, Bobby Caldeira, Charlie Kight, Austin Cobb DNS, Don McCleister DNS.

State Workforce Board awards $33 million to help rebuild California’s middle class

By Leave a Comment

The Resilient Workforce Program invests in opportunities that advance job quality, environmental resilience

Contra Costa Refinery Transition Partnership program receives $400K

By Anna Champe, Communications Manager, California Workforce Development Board

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), in partnership with the Labor & Workforce Development Agency, recently awarded $33,155,915 to nine projects across the state to advance High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs) that move underserved populations into better jobs.

Monday’s funding announcement is part of a larger, multi-level investment to advance state workforce development efforts to prioritize equity, quality jobs, and climate resilience

while meeting regional labor market needs. With the addition of these nine new projects, California is investing more than $260 million in nearly 100 active state-funded HRTPs.

The Contra Costa Refinery Transition Partnership received $400,000 in RWF funding in Spring/Summer 2022.

“Funding for existing HRTPs, which invest in industry-led worker-informed efforts, deliver on Governor Newsom’s promise of a California for All,” said California Workforce Development Board Chief Deputy Director Curtis Notsinneh. “California continues to lead the nation in investments that recognize and lift up a middle-class, while meeting the skills needs of our employers to stay competitive and innovative.”

Projects receiving funding include:

  • $7.5 million for High Road to Tribal Forest Restoration and Stewardship – expands job pathways with living wages for underserved tribal and rural populations, including tree and native plant nursery work, forest health, and forest and meadow restoration.
  • $5.1 million for Early Care & Education Pathways to Success – this existing apprenticeship program will expand to new under-sourced regions and serve 655 new apprentices to earn certifications in education serving Pre-K to Third-grade students.
  • $5 million for Vocational English as a Second Language Home Care Immersion Training Program – Homebridge will partner with SEIU Local 2015 to provide language skills and advanced home care training to immigrant, refugee, and formerly incarcerated populations. Participants will immediately earn $25 an hour after graduating and have opportunities for advancement.
  • $5 million for Dental Assistant Training Program – will scale successful earn-as-you-learn bootcamps to more regions and fill the gap between unlicensed dental assistants and licensed Registered Dental Assistants. Target populations include low-wage workers, communities of color, youth, immigrants, and workers without a college degree.

Contra Costa Harnessing Change: Refinery Transition Partnership (CCRTP)

Contra Costa County (CCC) communities, particularly low-income communities of color, bear major health burdens inflicted by the refineries and their toxic emissions. Additionally, the Bay Area refineries emit significant amounts of climate warming greenhouse gasses, posing one of the state’s most significant challenges to climate resilience. As California works to establish a carbon neutral economy, the oil refining sector will unavoidably undergo a massive transition. This transition is already taking place in CCC, where two of the four refineries are transitioning to biofuels, resulting in a significant workforce reduction–most notably at the Marathon Martinez Refinery, which laid off approximately 700 workers in 2020.

The Contra Costa Refinery Transition Partnership (CCRTP) is the first effort to bring together frontline workers and community organizations to plan for refinery transition. CCCRTP brings together CCC oil refinery workers, the refinery community, allies, and high-road industry stakeholders to develop shared strategies to prepare for this significant economic shift, including leading research and developing policy recommendations to support refinery communities and workers, as well as the development of a regional high-road economic development vision to advance CCC’s economic resilience as the state transitions to a low-carbon economy.

This project addresses the critical need to plan for economic transition in one of California’s most oil-industry dependent counties, through deep engagement and shared visioning led by impacted workers and community members themselves, in partnership with the broader community of stakeholders.

Project Highlights

  • Strengthen the CCRTP for the long-term, as a coalition of frontline workers, community organizations and allies.
  • Complete and publish a detailed report and recommendations on planning for refinery transition in the Bay Area.
  • Complete and publish a Contra Costa High Road Economic Development Vision.

Key Partners

  • Contra Costa Central Labor Council
  • BlueGreen Alliance Foundation
  • United Steelworkers District 12
  • United Steelworkers Local 5
  • UA Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 342
  • Asian Pacific Environmental Network
  • California Labor Federation, Workforce & Economic Development (WED)
  • UC Berkeley Labor Center

A complete list of awardees can be found on CWDB’s website.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Governor signs Glazer’s first-in-nation consumer protection bill

By Leave a Comment

SB644 allows 24-hour hotel booking cancellations with full refund

By Steven Harmon, Office of State Senator Steve Glazer

SACRAMENTO – Consumers will be able to make cancellations with a full refund, at no charge, up to 24 hours after they make a booking with hotels, short-term rentals and third-party booking services if they book at least 72 hours before their stay under a bill signed Tuesday by Governor Gavin Newsom.

“This first-in-the-nation law will end the confusing maze of misleading cancellation policies for lodging on the Internet,” said Senator Glazer (D-Orinda, CA7), author of the bill, SB 644. “Now, consumers will have a chance to correct mistakes and cancel bookings they hadn’t intended to make and get a full refund.”

According to the California Legislative Information website, the new law reads as follows:

“SEC. 3. CHAPTER  2. Hotel and Private Residence Rental Reservation Refunds

A hosting platform, hotel, third-party booking service, or short-term rental shall allow a reservation for a hotel accommodation or a short-term rental located in California to be canceled without penalty for at least 24 hours after the reservation is confirmed if the reservation is made 72 hours or more before the time of check-in.

1748.82.

(a) If a consumer cancels a reservation pursuant to Section 1748.81, the hosting platform, hotel, third-party booking service, or short-term rental shall issue a refund to a consumer of all amounts paid to the hosting platform, hotel, third-party booking service, or short-term rental to the original form of payment within 30 days of the cancellation of the reservation.

(b) The refund required by this section shall include a refund of all fees charged to the consumer for optional services.”

Glazer represents most of Contra Costa County.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

First meeting of Contra Costa committee formed to address modeled sea level rise Oct. 12

By Leave a Comment

Martinez Regional Shoreline Park by LisaVorderbrueggen. Source: CC County

Supes Gioia, Burgis lead Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Ad Hoc Committee

Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom

By Ryan Hernandez, Principal Planner, Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development

With warmer temperatures and more extreme weather, sea level rise modeling indicates Contra Costa County’s shoreline, which includes a variety of residential, business, industrial, infrastructure, and natural sites, can expect to be subject to more severe and frequent flooding.

To address sea level rise, the Board established the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Ad Hoc Committee at the May 16, 2023, Board of Supervisors meeting. Supervisor John Gioia, whose district borders the San Francisco Bay, was appointed as Chair, and Supervisor Diane Burgis, whose district borders the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Funded through Measure X, the Committee will develop recommendations to the Board on work the County can do to plan for sea level rise and improve shoreline resiliency, which could potentially include a sea level rise resilience and adaptation plan. This would build on the County’s past work on collaborative regional efforts to characterize sea level rise risks with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the Delta Stewardship Council.

The Plan could include recommendations for built and natural infrastructure improvements and potential land use planning changes, implementation strategies, and participatory engagement opportunities for stakeholders. With the creation of this Committee, the County will be better prepared to adapt to rising sea levels with strategies specific to the current and future needs of Contra Costa communities.

The Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Ad Hoc Committee’s first meeting will occur on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom with in-person meeting locations listed in the published agenda packet. To sign up for email updates, visit the Contra Costa Legistar website.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Highway 4 in Brentwood to close for trail overcrossing construction tonight, Tuesday night, Oct. 9 & 10

By Leave a Comment

Between Lone Tree Way and Sand Creek Road

Single-lane closures Wed.-Sat. nights, Oct. 11-14

By City of Brentwood

The construction of the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing span over State Route 4 (“SR4”) in Brentwood requires a temporary nighttime freeway closure in both directions for two consecutive nights.  Additionally, there will be single lane closures for several subsequent nights.

The highway will be closed in both directions, between Lone Tree Way and Sand Creek Road on the following dates/times:

Monday, October 9, 2023 from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m., the following morning.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m., the following morning.

Detours will be in place as follows:

Eastbound traffic will be directed to exit at Lone Tree Way, go eastbound to Shady Willow Lane, then southbound on Shady Willow Lane to Sand Creek Road, before proceeding westbound on Sand Creek Road to the eastbound State Route 4 on-ramp.

Westbound traffic will exit on Sand Creek Road and go eastbound on Sand Creek Road to Shady Willow Lane, then northbound on Shady Willow Lane to Lone Tree Way, and proceed westbound on Lone Tree Way to the westbound State Route 4 on-ramp.

There will be single-lane closures in the eastbound and westbound directions on the following dates/times:

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m., the following morning.

Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., the following morning.

Friday, October 13, 2023 from 11:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m., the following morning.

Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 11:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m., the following morning.

Visit the Mokelumne Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing web site for more information on the project.

 

Road work in Contra Costa Centre Oct. 10 – Nov. 10

By Leave a Comment

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

October 9, 2023, Contra Costa Centre, CA– Contra Costa County Public Works will be repairing pavement base failures, as needed on various roadways in the Contra Costa Centre area. Work will begin on Tuesday October 10, 2023, through Friday November 10, 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will take place between 7:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, weather permitting. Nighttime work is anticipated along Treat Boulevard and Buskirk Avenue to limit disruptions. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts to drivers during commuting hours.

Funding for this project is provided by Gas Tax (SB1 Road Repair and Accountability Act). For more information regarding this work, including a list of the streets impacted, visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/2023CountywidePavementDigouts

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @cccpublicworks.

CONTACT: Pavement Dig outs: Eric Sanders, 925.595.5992

Lafayette man arraigned on armed home invasion, kidnapping, child abuse charges

By 1 Comment

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A Lafayette man faces a 12-count felony complaint related to an armed home invasion incident wherein the victims were held hostage for hours.

31-year-old Kenneth David Mcisaac was arraigned today at 1:30 pm in Martinez for kidnapping, false imprisonment by violence, second-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, criminal threats, and child abuse. He entered a plea of not guilty in front of Judge Rebecca Hardie.

The charges stem from when Mcisaac pulled a gun on a mother and her daughter on September 24th around three o’clock in the afternoon. The victims were walking back to their apartment complex in Lafayette when Mcisaac forced them into their residence at gunpoint and proceeded to hold the entire family of four hostages for over five hours.

At one point during the ordeal, an adult victim was able to break free and physically overpower Mcisaac. Police and emergency crews arrived after a 911 call was placed, and Mcisaac was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries. Three days later on September 27th, he was booked into the West County Detention Facility where he remains in custody. His next court date is November 30, 2022, at 8:30 am with Judge Mary Ann O’Malley.

According to localcrimenews.com, Mcissac was also arrested in October 2020 by Oakland Police for battery with serious bodily injury and elder or dependent adult abuse.

01-22-01678 | The People of the State of California vs. McIsaac, Kenneth David

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.